In a heartfelt appeal to the government, slain rifleman Aurangzeb’s father demanded that militancy be eliminated from the Kashmir valley, to avenge the death of his son.
In a video that has gone viral, Aurangzeb’s father Mohammed Hanief, who is also a former Sepoy of the Jammu and Kashmir Light infantry, is heard speaking to the Commanding Officer, stating that like his son, he too was ready to lay his life down for the nation, in order to wipe out militancy.
My son has laid down his life for the country. He was a brave soldier. My (other) sons and I will also sacrifice (ourselves) for the nation. We want goons to be wiped out.
He can also be heard asking why Pakistani flags are unfurled in Kashmir.
In an earlier appeal to the prime minister, Hanief said that if Aurangzeb’s death was not avenged within 72 hours, then he would take matters into his own hands.
I give PM Modi 72 hours to avenge my son’s death or else we are ready to take revenge on our own. Kashmir is ours. We must not let Kashmir burn. Instead, we must eliminate the goons who are destroying the valley.
Earlier in the day, Army Chief Bipin Rawat had visited the grieving family in Poonch district to convey that the forces stood by their side in their hour of grief.
Rifleman Aurangzeb of 44 Rashtriya Rifles, was abducted and killed by terrorists in Pulwama district when he was on his way home to celebrate Eid on 14 June. He was part of Major Rohit Shukla's team, which eliminated Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Sameer Tiger.
Aurangzeb had boarded a private vehicle for Shopian, from where he was supposed to go to Rajouri district. The terrorists intercepted the vehicle as it approached Kalampora and abducted the jawan. His bullet-riddled body was found by at Gussu village, about 10 km from Kalampora, in Pulwama district.
(With inputs from PTI)
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